Ofcom campaign: Half of UK homes could boost their broadband

Ofcom has launched a new Boost Your Broadband campaign aiming to help millions of internet users get a faster service or to slash their bills on their existing deals.

Half of UK homes could switch to superfast broadband for no extra cost

Ofcom's research has revealed that superfast broadband is now available to 94% of homes, yet only half of UK households have taken it up, and the industry regulator wants more people to start taking advantage of it.

What's more, they found that around four million households with old-style, basic broadband have passed their initial contract period and could switch to superfast for about the same cost as they're currently paying - and in many cases they could even save money!

The high profile campaign is fronted by Gloria Hunniford, and you'll see it on TV, in the press and online. It will help you find out if you can:

Get a faster service with your current provider

Pay less for your existing package

Switch to a better deal with a different provider

Boost Your Broadband offers straightforward, easy to follow advice. Even if you aren't tech savvy and don't even know why you might need faster internet, it doesn't matter. The campaign will equip you with everything you need to snag a better deal.

How to get a better deal with Boost Your Broadband

At the heart of the Boost Your Broadband campaign is the reality that so many of us are still stuck on old deals where the minimum contract period has ended. This leaves us paying more than we should be for a service that's often not as good as it could be.

When that happens you need to speak to your provider to find out what your options are. But if the thought of doing that leaves you feeling a bit out of your depth, don't worry. Ofcom has provided a handy checklist of questions you need to ask:

Am I still in my initial contract period?

If I am, how long is left?

How much am I paying for my current deal?

What am I getting for that price?

How fast does my broadband need to be to do the things I want?

Can I get a faster service, and how much will it cost?

How long do I need to sign up for?

Do I need to pay connection fees to get the new deal?

What happens at the end of the initial contract period?

Once you've got the answers to those questions you'll know what your options are. And that usually boils down to four possibilities: getting a faster service with the same provider, keeping the same speed but signing a new contract (preferably at a lower price), switching providers (which is a lot easier than you might think), or sticking with what you've got.

Before you start, use our Ofcom accredited postcode checker to find out what other broadband packages are available in your area. This will give you an idea of what kinds of speeds and prices you should be looking for. It'll also help you make an informed decision on what to do next.